United blow chance

Misfiring Reds fail to break down Hull and close gap on top four

Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic performs an acrobatic kick as Hull’s Harry Maguire and Andrea Ranocchia close in during the Premier League match at Old Trafford last night

United boss Jose Mourinho is pictured at the end of the game

Manchester United substitute Juan Mata sees a chance missed in the draw with Hull

Manchester United failed to capitalise on their top-four rivals' struggles as rejuvenated Hull left Old Trafford with a hard-fought point from a goalless stalemate.

Manchester City may have made light work of West Ham but their other Champions League rivals' inability to win gave Jose Mourinho's men a great opportunity.

However, United could only continue that trend in a surprisingly limp display against Eldin Jakupovic-inspired Hull, whose improvements under recently-appointed manager Marco Silva were clear in this 0-0 draw.

The point moves City off the bottom of the Premier League, while a ninth league draw of the campaign leaves Mourinho's side four points off the top four.

The United boss will no doubt bemoan refereeing decisions - just as he did when Hull ended his side's 17-match unbeaten run in last week's EFL Cup semi-final clash - but cannot get away from a flat display from the hosts.

Superb stops from goalkeeper Jakupovic saved Hull when United threatened, although City came close to snatching a famous late win as Lazar Markovic, on loan from Liverpool, rattled the post.

The Tigers more than held their own and fired a shot across the bows in the seventh minute as Harry Maguire, looking transformed under Silva, headed Evandro's free-kick just wide.

Merseyside rejects Markovic and Oumar Niasse, on loan from Liverpool and Everton respectively, gave the hosts little respite at the back as United struggled to fluster City.

Firm

Andrew Robertson thwarted Henrikh Mkhitaryan as early as the second minute as the visitors stood firm, with it requiring a moment of inspiration for United to first threaten as Zlatan Ibrahimovic shrugged off Tom Huddlestone to unleash a shot creeping in until Jakupovic's fingertip stop.

Marcus Rashford's invention saw the resulting corner flicked back in for Marcos Rojo to head over and Daley Blind failed with a volley shortly afterwards, yet Hull's defence was holding firm.

There was a sigh of relief when referee Michael Jones decided against awarding Niasse a second booking for a challenge on Michael Carrick, who was not having as much of an impact on the game as he would like.

United's passing in the final third was proving ineffective aside from the odd flashes of Paul Pogba and Ibrahimovic's understanding.